Pumpkin Protein Bites

24 bites

2 cups oats

½ cup pumpkin puree

3/4 cup creamy nut butter, almond or peanut butter

1/2 cup honey

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 tbsp pumpkin pie spice

1 tbsp flax seed meal

1 tbsp chia seeds

⅛ tsp sea salt

2 tbsp protein powder, optional

½ cup mini chocolate chips

• Combine all ingredients except for chocolate chips in a large bowl and stir to combine. Fold in chocolate chips. You want it to be sticky, but not runny. If too runny, add a little more almond flour. If too thick, add more maple syrup.
• Use a 1 tbsp cookie scoop to form the mixture into 24 balls. Roll them evenly and place on a large cookie sheet covered with parchment paper. 
• Refrigerate for 30 minutes up to overnight.

Additional Mix-Ins:  Hemp seeds, chopped almonds or walnuts, unsweetened cocoa powder (or cacao powder), sunflower seeds, dried fruit